She didn’t stay without options for long. Before the 2026 regular season began, the Chicago Sky went on a roster overhaul. It started with trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream and then moved to waiving Hailey Van Lith. These moves effectively ended the franchise’s run with both of its first-round picks from the past two seasons. But Van Lith didn’t have much time to dwell on it because she already found her new home, just four hours after publicly addressing her departure from the Sky.
In a move that has everyone excited, the Connecticut Sun has officially claimed Van Lith off waivers, ending a brief but heavily discussed free-agency window.
Advertisement
While roster cuts are common this time of year as a 12-player limit has to be adhered to and a balanced roster is always prioritised, Van Lith’s release left many baffled because of both her profile and the timing of this move. The Sky drafted her with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft and reunited her with former LSU teammate Reese. Naturally, that created plenty of expectations around her sophomore season. Yet, Chicago chose a different direction.
According to ESPN, the organization’s decision was tied to a “style-of-play preference” from the coaching staff. So, they signed veteran guard Natasha Cloud to a one-year contract, because she “fits in with the other proven winners on (the Sky’s) roster.”
So the Sun now gets a player who averaged 3.5 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 29 games while battling an ankle injury in her rookie year, and 12.5 points and 4.5 assists while shooting 71.4% from the field in her 2026 preseason games with the Sky. While the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo were widely viewed as the landing spots for her, Connecticut quickly moved and secured the former All-American before the market could develop further.
But it’s worth noting that Hailey Van Lith had nothing but gratitude for her former team.
Advertisement
“To the city that drafted me and the fans who showed up every night 🤞Chicago, you’ll always be where my WNBA story began,” Van Lith wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Grateful to my teammates, the fans, and the entire organization for being the first chapter of my journey. The journey continues. Thank you, Chicago! 🩵💛”
Now, with the dust settling quickly and the regular season all set to tip off on May 8, let’s take a closer look at why the Connecticut Sun could be the right place for this young guard to reset and grow.
Hailey Van Lith: A Low-Risk Bet With High-Upside Intent for the Sun
The Sun is in a clear transition phase where they are building their franchise on a younger core and reshaping their identity. With players such as Nell Angloma and Gianna Kneepkens, the franchise is confident of surpassing its previous records. So with no immediate pressure to force production, a player will get space to evaluate and develop.
Hailey Van Lith is now at TCU after transferring from Louisville. She previously played at LSU. She has one of the top NIL valuation’s among Big 12 women’s basketball players.
From a system standpoint, head coach Rachid Meziane brings a style that leans into pace and movement rather than isolating one focal star, something a lot of teams have been doing lately. That approach suits Van Lith’s game profile. She operates best when she can read the floor quickly, move the ball decisively, and create offense in rhythm rather than isolation-heavy sets. The structure in Connecticut allows her to lean into those strengths without boxing her into a rigid role early on.
Advertisement
Secondly, opportunity also plays a major part in why this landing spot makes sense. Young and developing guards are still shaping the Sun’s backcourt as they compete for consistent minutes. That environment doesn’t guarantee Van Lith a role, but it does ensure she enters a rotation where spots are genuinely open, not already locked in.
However, let’s not forget the fact that Jen Rizzotti (Sun President) already coached Hailey Van Lith during her time with USA Basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This had helped Lith in securing a bronze medal that year. That prior connection often matters more than it appears on paper, especially in early roster decisions.
Nothing about this guarantees immediate success, but that’s not really the point of the move. Connecticut gains depth, while Van Lith seizes the opportunity, so both sides step into a situation that can develop naturally rather than being forced.
The post Hailey Van Lith Lands New WNBA Job 4 Hours After Addressing Chicago Sky Exit appeared first on EssentiallySports. Add EssentiallySports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Advertisement
Trending Articles
